KOTA KINABALU: Six of seven premises in the city here have complied with the government's new ceiling price for cooking oil that came into effect Monday (Aug 8).
Enforcement officers from the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry conducted surprise inspections at business premises around King Fisher, Likas, Kota Kinabalu, Tanjung Aru and Putatan to ensure businesses complied with the new ceiling price.
The ministry's Sabah office director George Abas said that six premises had adhered to the new ceiling price for bottled cooking palm oil while other businesses were still using the old price tag.
ALSO READ: Don’t hoard or ration cooking oil, Annuar urges traders
"They were warned and asked to change the price tag to the new ceiling price immediately," said George, who led the team of enforcement officers to carry out checks on the premises.
With effect from today, the government has set a ceiling price for cooking palm oil sold in bottles of 1kg, 2kg, 3kg and 5kg across the country including Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan.
The prices will be determined monthly based on the average price of crude palm oil (CPO) per metric ton in the world market in the previous month.
Under the current ceiling price till Sept 7, the price for 5kg bottled cooking palm oil is set at RM34.70 with 1kg at RM7.70; 2kg (RM14.70), and 3kg (RM21.70).
George said ongoing operations to check on businesses would be carried out daily to ensure traders complied with the new ceiling prices.
"We encourage traders to sell their goods lower than the maximum price if the prices obtained from their suppliers are lower," he added.
ALSO READ: Ceiling price for 5kg bottled cooking oil capped at RM34.70 for Sabah, Sarawak, Labuan
He said traders who continue to sell above the ceiling price will face action under the Price Control Prices and Anti-Profitability 2011 Act.
He said individuals if found guilty in court could face up to RM100,000 or imprisonment not exceeding three years or both or compounded up to RM50,000.
For companies they could be fined up to RM500,000 or compounded up to RM250,000.
The public can channel complaints to the ministry via WhatsApp at 019-279 4317 / 019-848 8000, email to e-aduan.kpdnhep.gov.my or through their call centre at 800-886-800.
